Apparatus for polishing match-heads.



W. A. FAIRBUR N.

APPARATUS FOR POLISHING MATCH HEADS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented May 23, 1916.

A TTOR/VEY w. A. FAIRBURN. APPARATUS FOR POLISHING MATCH HEADS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. I915.

as COLUMBIA PLANbGRAPH 05., wpsnmurou, n. c.

a FEED TATE PATENT @FFT@E.

WILLIAM A. FAIRZBURN, OF SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR POLISHING MATCH-HEADS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Flay 23, 1916,

Application filed July 28, 1915. Serial No. 42,308.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. FAIR- BURN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Short Hills, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improver ments in Apparatus for Polishing Match- Heads, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a match-head polishing apparatus for use in connection with, or as an attachment to continuous match machines employing an endless carrier into which the splints are progressively set in spaced parallel rows and thereby transported through the match-making path, including head-composition appliances.

The invention is designed more especially for use in practising the process described in an application filed simultaneouslv herewith-by F rederick V. D. Cruser, according to which process the external surface of the individual match heads (immediately succeeding the composition-applying stage and before the composition has had an opportunity to dry appreciably and form a skin on the outside) is subjected to the direct impingement of rapidly-moving air conditioned to meet the particular requirements of the existent atmospheric air of the match room.

The present invention may be described as an improvement in or modification of the mechanism illustrated in the said Cruser application, which mechanism forms the subject of a separate application for patent also filed by him simultaneously herewith.

The primary feature of my invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of air-blast devices whereby air, under pressure, is distributed among the matches on the match carrier in such a manner that the outer ends and sides of the individual match heads are uniformly and efficiently subjected to the polishing effect of the air.

The invention comprises other features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the casing of an apparatus embodying my invention, showing the guiding and supporting wheels for the match carrier, and the air blast devices associated therewith. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section, as on the irregular line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, enlarged, through a portion of one of the carrier-supporting wheels and its associated air-blast devices. Fig. 4 is a full transverse vertical section through said wheel and devices, showing a part of the casing and adjuncts. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the central portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a similar view of a portion of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a portion of an endless flexible carrier into the perforated plates of which the match splints are inserted row by row, and thence transported through the various stages for conversion into complete matches.

11 designates a casing through which the carrier, with its load of matches, progresses while the heads of the matches are in a Soft or plastic condition. This casing includes two spaced side walls of appropriate contour bounded by a connecting wall 12 having suitably-disposed inlet and outlet portions 13, 14, respectively, for the travel ing carrier and its load of matches. This casing is supported upon a frame structure 15 in any suitable manner.

The carrier is supported and guided within the casing by suitably-arranged wheels with which are associated the air blast devices hereinafter described. In the present instance, the chamber contains three wheels, viz.: two large wheels 16, one above the other, and a laterally adjacent smaller wheel 17 about which the carrier is flexed in its passage from the lower to the upper wheel 16.

Each of the wheels 16 in its preferred construction includes two flanged rings supported by radial arms 18 extending from hub rings 19; the arms of the respective rings being connected and held in proper spaced relation to each other by means of suitably-disposed tie-rods 20. The hub rings are mounted to rotate freely on an independently rotatable sleeve 21 from which radiate certain air-projecting devices as will presently appear. Preferably antifriction bearings are provided between the sleeve and the respective hub rings. To this end the hub rings are spaced from the sleeve to accommodate rollers 22 which are axially j ournaled in suitably spaced flanges 23, 24: on the sleeve and hub rings respectively. One end of the sleeve is closed by a head 25 having a central stud shaft 26 which is 'rotatably supported in a suitably-disposed bearing bracket 27 attached to a vertical frame post extending through the casing. The shaft 26 extends through a packing box 28 in the adjacent wall of the casing, and bears a sprocket wheel 29 which is geared with and driven from any suitable driving mechanism.

The sleeve is provided with a central inwardly projecting stud 30 which is rotatably mounted in a hub 31 on the end head 32 of a hollow cylinder 33 which is encircled by the sleeve. This cylinder extends outwardly beyond the open end of the sleeve 21 and is rigidly secured to a frame post within the casing. In the present instance the cylinder is provided with lugs 34: and caps 35 which embrace the post and are clamped thereto by suitable screw-bolts. The outer open end of the cylinder is connected to the discharge nozzle of a fan, or other appropriate air engine, by means of which conditioned air from a suitable source of supply is forced into the interior of the cylinder. The wall of the cylinder, about midway between the sides of the guide wheel, is provided with an arcuate opening 36 which extends about two'thirds of the circumference of the cylinder; the opening being interrupted at intervals by tie connections 37.

The sleeve 21 is rotatably supported on the body of the cylinder, anti-friction bearings for the sleeve being preferably provided. Accordingly the sleeve is spaced from the cylinder to accommodate rollers 38 having axial studs which are journaled in suitably-disposed flanges 39, 10 on the sleeve and cylinder respectively.

The sleeve is provided with a circumferential series of flanged radial openings 50, substantially equal in diameter to the width of and in the same vertical plane as the opening 36 of the cylinder. Secured to the flanges of the openings 50 are tubular arms 51 which radiate toward the circumference of the guide wheel and terminate in relatively flat tapering nozzle members 52. The members extend from side to side of the wheel 16 or nearly so, and they are so positioned as to rotate in close relation to the heads of the matches on the carrier as the matches progress on and around the guide wheel. By this construction it will be seen that during the rotation of the blast structure comprising the sleeve and its appurtenances, the tubular-arms successively register with the arcuate opening 36 of the cylinder and are thus in communication with the interior of the latter; and hence the air flows from the cylinder into the traveling arms 51 and is discharged through the nozzle members directly against the opposing match heads throughout the width of the carrier, the air impinging at high velocity the nozzle members within that limit; and

hence the imperforate part of the cylinder wall, between the ends of the opening, is provided.

In operation theair' blast structures with the tubular arms 51 and the nozzle members thereof travel in one direction, and the guide wheels for the match carrier travel in the opposite direction. Heated air being delivered into the cylinders 33 under pressure,

enters the tubular arms and is progressively discharged through their nozzle members against the opposing heads of the matches in those parts of the carrier which are flexed upon the respective guide wheels. After the air has been thus projected against the heads of the matches it is drawn through the joints of the carrier plates and the open sides of the guide wheels, following the paths of least resistance, to an exhaust pipe 53, leading from the interior of the casing to a suitable point of discharge. Preferably the body of the casing is outwardly extended in the region of the wheel 17 and a supplementary chamber 54 is formed in the extended portion. One wall 55 of this chamber is of zig-zag formation and it is curved correspondingly with and arranged in close relation to the path of the heads of the matches on the carrier as they pass about.

the wheel 15. The inner projecting portions of the wall are provided with restricted orifices 56 and they thus afford a series of air ducts or nozzles which converge toward the center of the wheel 17 in such a manner that conditioned air delivered to the chamber 54, by way of a suitably-disposed inlet 57, is discharged through the said ducts or nozzles and against the opposing heads of the matches on the carrier. The air thus delivered to the chamber 54 is drawn to and discharged through the exhaust pipe 53.

It is to be understood that my mvention is not limited to the particular construction herein shown and described, as the apparatus may be'variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim- 1. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, a guide wheel therein for the carrier, and a rotary air-blast structure within said wheel, including tubular arms having discharge members directed toward the circumference of. the wheel,

means for rotating said structure independently of the wheel, and means for supplying air to said structure.

2. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, a guide wheel therein for the carrier, and a rotary air-blast structure within said wheel, including tubular arms having nozzle members with restricted outlets which extend substantially from side to side of the wheel near its circumference, means for rotating said structure independently of the wheel, and means for supplying air to said structure.

3. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, a guide wheel therein for the carrier, an air supply cylinder within said wheel having a circumferential discharge opening, a peripherally perforated sleeve rotatably mounted on said cylinder and tubular arms radiating from the perforations of the sleeve, and being provided.

at their outer ends with air-discharge nozzles adjacent the circumference of the guide wheel.

4. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, a series of guide wheels therein for the carrier, rotary airblast structures within said wheels, and means whereby the blasts from said structures during a portion of their rotary travel, are projected upon the matches on the flexures of the carrier contacting with the guide wheels.

5. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, a guide wheel therein for the carrier, an air supply member within said wheel having a discharge opening, a peripherally perforated sleeve rotatably mounted on said member, and tubular arms extending from the perforated portions ofthe sleeve and being provided with air-discharge nozzles adjacent the circumference of the guide-wheel, the said discharge opening being proportioned and arranged to limit the air blasts from said nozzles to the matches on the fiexures of the carrier contacting with the guide wheel.

(3. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, a guide wheel therein for the carrier, an air-supply cylinder axially of the wheel having a circumferential discharge opening, a peripherally perforated sleeve rotatably mounted on said cylinder, and tubular arms radiating from the perforations of the sleeve and being provided at their outer ends with air discharge nozzles adjacent the circumference of the guide-wheel, the said discharge opening being of arcuate formation which limits the air blasts from said nozzles to the matches on the fiexures of the carrier contacting with the guide wheel.

7. In a match machine having a flexible carrier, a guide wheel for the carrier, and a structure providing an air chamber having a series of nozzle portions adjacent the periphery of and converging toward the center. of the wheel, said chamber also having an inlet for air under pressure.

8. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, guide wheels therein for the carrier, and a supplemental chamber within the casing having a series of nozzle portions adjacent the periphery and con verging toward the center of one of said wheels, said chamber also having an inlet for air under pressure.

9. In a match machine having a flexible match carrier, a casing, guide wheels therein for the carrier, certain of said wheels having therein air-blast devices directed toward inwardly projecting matches on the portions of the carrier passing about the wheels, a supplemental chamber within said casing having a series of nozzle portions adjacent the periphery of a guide wheel about which the carrier passes with the matches extending outwardly, said chamber having an inlet for air under pressure.

10. The combination with a guide wheel for a match carrier, of an air-blast structure within said wheel, including radial tubular arms having discharge members directed toward the circumference of the wheel, and means for supplying air to said structure.

11. The combination with a guide wheel for a match carrier, of a rotary air-blast structure within said wheel, including radial tubular arms having discharge members directed toward the circumference of the wheel, means for rotating said structure independently of the wheel, and means for supplying air to said structure.

12. The combination with a guide wheel for a match carrier, of a rotary air blast structure within said wheel, including radial tubular arms having nozzle members with restricted outlets which extend substantially from side to side of the wheel near its circumference, means for rotating said structure independently of the wheel, and means for supplying air to said structure.

13. The combination with a guide wheel for a match carrier, of an air supply cylinder within said wheel having a circumferential discharge opening; a peripherally perforated sleeve rotatably mounted on said cylinder, and tubular arms radiating from the perforations of the sleeve and being provided at their outer ends with air-discharge nozzles adjacent the circumference of the guide wheel.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York this 26th day of July A. D. 1915.

WILLIAM A. FAIRBURN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patente. Washington, I). C. 

